Clean Energy

Advocating for the West’s transition to clean energy

The quality of life we enjoy in the West depends on clean air and a healthy environment. But climate change is increasing the West’s already high risk of drought, wildfires, heat waves and other extreme events. The leading cause of climate change and air pollution is burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation.

Western states have a unique opportunity to lead the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system. By tapping our abundant and affordable solar, wind, and geothermal power, and by using energy more efficiently and modernizing our electric grid, the West can drive clean energy job creation, eliminate air pollution, and cut carbon emissions—thus protecting community health and strong economies.

Western Resource Advocates envisions a future where our homes, buildings, and transportation systems will be powered by clean energy. The West will prosper in a zero-carbon economy.

More on Clean Energy

WRA assisted in the development of an agreement authorizing Xcel Energy to undertake two significant energy storage research and development projects. One storage project involves a microgrid with solar at a commercial facility. The other will allow the utility to test batteries located on a residential feeder with high levels of rooftop solar. Developing storage is important for advancing solar, wind and other intermittent clean energy sources.

WRA testified and helped defeat Colorado Senate Bill 157, which would have prohibited environmental or utility regulators from undertaking action to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector until the United States Supreme Court lifted the current stay of the Clean Power Plan. This bill would have undermined the State’s existing authority to protect public health and clean air. Senate Bill 157 was defeated in the House.

WRA testified and helped defeat Colorado Senate Bill 61, which would have increased costs in order to comply with the proposed federal Clean Power Plan in Colorado, while also undermining cost-effective, holistic electricity system planning needed to reduce carbon pollution. Senate Bill 61 was defeated in the House.

Solar gardens allow subscribers to share solar arrays. WRA was instrumental in securing the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s approval of an agreement with Xcel Energy that will increase access to community solar gardens for underserved residential and low-income customers. The decision also makes possible 60 MW of additional community solar projects becoming available.

An analysis by Western Resource Advocates and Conservation Colorado of the specific policies that Colorado should implement in order to drive carbon pollution reduction needed to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change and to meet the goals set by Governor Hicklenlooper’s executive order.

The Executive Summary of Colorado’s Climate Blueprint, an analysis by Western Resource Advocates and Conservation Colorado of the specific policies that Colorado should implement in order to drive carbon pollution reduction needed to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.